Relative Advantages and Limitations of Model Organisms Flashcards
Excellent genetics and Genes can be easily cloned.
Yeast
Powerful molecular techniques.
Yeast
Possess all basic eukaryotic cell organelles.
Yeast
Limitations is
1. unicellular
2. no distinct tissues.
3. embryological manipulations difficult
4. targeted gene disruption still difficult although possible.
Yeast
RNAi effective and Fast generation time.
Yeast
Excellent genetics and hermaphrodites/self-fertilization.
C. elegans
Limitation is
1. Limited external morphology
2. Less similar to human
3. Some embryological manipulations difficult.
C. elegans
Few cells: 959 cells and lineages known.
C. elegans
Morphology fully characterized.
C. elegans
Simplest vertebrae.
Zebra fish
Good genetics and Transparent embryos
Zebra fish
Embryo manipulation possible.
Zebra fish
Rapid vertebrate development.
Zebra fish
Limitation is
1. Not yet trivial to clone genes
2. Transgenic not trivial
3. No targeted gene disruption
Zebra fish
Universal model plant and small size.
Thale cress
Relatively short life cycle.
Thale cress
Small, sequenced genome.
Thale cress
Transformed easily transgenics.
Thale cress
Limitation is embryological manipulations non trivial.
Thale cress
Availability, low cost, accessibility , outside of mother.
Chick embryo
Great for embryological manipulation; transplants of tissue.
Chick embryo
Easily transfected by avian retroviruses.
Chick embryo
Limitation is
1. Limited genetics
2. Genome sequenced
Chick embryo
Mammals, brains similar to human, all homologous areas/cell types.
Mouse
“Reverse” genetics: targeted KOs
Mouse
Developmental overview same as for all mammals.
Mouse
Large mutant collection.
Chick embryo
Construction of chimeric embryos possible.
Mouse
Availability of material at all stages.
Mouse
Source of primary cells for culture.
Mouse
